Playa Grande Talk

Findings... and the future.
with Anthony Civitillo, Jorge Fernandez Porto, and Mark Martin Bras
 Vieques Conservation & Historical Trust
Friday April 1, 2011 at 5pm
787-741-8850

Playa Grande Tour

Visit the ruins of the old sugar mill!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
9am to 12 pm
Carpooling available
Adults: $30  Children: $15
Reservations required
787-741-8850

Cape Air Fly Buys

Commuter ticket books on sale now!

The prices on our 10-ticket commuter books are goin' south!
For this week only, save on our Florida and Caribbean routes.
Valid on purchases made between March 29 and April 4, 2011.

Available here: http://tinyurl.com/45cvqdy

A New Twist at the Gas Station

As you all know, getting gasoline here is often times a challenge.  Recently, a new hurdle was added to the process.  The gas stations are cash only.  So, an addition to the list of "what to bring with you to the gas station", which includes plenty of bottled water, a sandwich and a copy of Gone With The Wind, is cash.  The stations do have an ATMs, which charge a transaction fee of $1.80.  The scene plays out like this.  You say you want to fill your tank.  You are told it is cash only, but since you don't have any, you go to the ATM at the back of the store and withdraw some money.  You give the attendant the cash and proceed to the pump.  But gas has gone up and you run out of money before the tank is full.  You go back inside, go to the ATM and get more money.  You wait in line to give the attendant the money and you go back to the pump.  The tank is now full, but you are owed some money back, so you go inside and get in line again.  It has just cost you $3.60 for the privilege of giving the gas station it's own money, taken at least twice as long, and the line of cars behind you has grown exponentially. 

The sunset is northside these days, so the Mar Azul is the place to stop.  The back deck is the perfect spot and they offer happy hour prices.  On Thursday evenings, a few of the shops in Isabel Segunda are going to offer expanded shopping from 6-8pm.  Those are Caribbean Walk, Funky Beehive and Sol Creations.  The shop nite held a few weeks ago was successful, so it will be repeated on April 21. 

Southside, the old La Central building is starting to come down.  It is on the right just as you come around the corner to the Malecon.  Supposedly, a three story building has been approved for that spot. It will be interesting to see what actually happens there. 

A dining note.  Stop in at Mucho Gusto.  Carmen makes a to die for conch salad.  It is tender (in the hands of an amateur conch can taste like a rubber band) and tasty.  The portion is large enough for a dinner, or for two to share as an appetizer.  Mucho Gusto is located in the Guayacon Plaza, next to Kim's Cabin.

JC

Isla Nena Cafe reopens @ the airport!

Monday is SABOR CRIOLLO...

Every Monday here at Coconuts, we celebrate Local Flavors with SABOR
CRIOLLO...
- Pernil, Guineos en Escabeche, Arroz con Gandules
- Churrasco with Chimichurri
- Mahi with Plantain "Scales" & Local Fruit
- Coconut Flan...
...y mucho mucho mas!
COCONUTS  787.741.9325
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
Think:  Sushi Pizza!

Samplings from Coconuts!

Samplings from Coconuts!
Spicy Creole-Grilled Shrimp with Tomato Caramel
Buffalo-style Frog Legs
and Classic Greek Salad!
And always available are great burgers, steaks, fish & chips and SUSHI
PIZZA!
Saturday is always PRIME RIB!
Monday is always SABOR CRIOLLO!
Looking forward to cooking for you and your guests!
-Chef Michael
COCONUTS 787.741.9325
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
Think: Sushi Pizza!

Salsa Aerobics & Zumba Class

Salsa Aerobics & Zumba Class
Dance & Exercise Overlooking the Caribbean Sea
Instructor: Pacifica Garcia
Where: Inn on the Blue Horizon at L’Mirador
When: Thursdays from 5pm –New Time
Cost: $7.00 a class
Let the Dancing Begin! 

Come and exercise using your Latin Dance steps

Burn Calories & learn and/or Practice your dance moves
Rhythms: Salsa, Bachata, Merengue & Cha Cha

Get a good cardio workout & stay for After Hour Specials
Non–Alcoholic Smoothie Specials  with full bar available
Stay with us and watch the Sunset!

Cinema in the Square

 

 jt

Zumba for the Humane Society!-Dance and exercise to Latin rhythms!

!Zumba pro Animales! Zumba for the Animals!
Haga ejercicio y baile a ritmos latinos.
El domingo, 27 Marzo de 2011, 7-8 pm
Balcón de Casa de Kathy-Balcony of Casa de Kathy
Bo. Esperanza, 367 Calle Bromelias #367
Donativo: $10.00
Info: 787-741-3352
Zumba es un ejercicio divertido que combina una variedad de ritmos latinos. Incluimos en la clase pasos básicos de salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaetón, salsatón, el mambo, e incluso un poco de tango.
Simplemente, relájese y diviértase! Todos son bienvenidos!
Todas las donaciones de dinero y toallas son para ayudar a los animales de Vieques Humane Society.

Zumba is a world-famous dance fitness program which combines a variety of Latin rhythms into a one-hour dance class. Includes the basic steps of salsa, merengue, cumbia, reggaetón, salsatón, mambo, and even a bit of
tango. No dance experience necessary. Everyone is welcome.
All donations will go to help the animals at the Vieques Humane Society!

Wed March 23rd Benefit for VHSAR

Wed March 23rd Benefit for VHSAR at Siddhia Hutchinson Gallery

50 Viequense students contribute original twelve inch square works created for this inspiring benefit exhibition. 

Please join us at an opening reception featuring a performance by "The Islanders" youth steel drum ensemble.  

Siddhia Hutchinson, renowned Caribbean artist and owner of Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery Vieques has been at work in the Vieques schools with young students creating original works for this benefit show. With iconic Vieques imagery as theme and inspiration the students have been creating their own expressions based on these familiar visuals.  Hutchinson states, "I hope I can convey to these students the excitement, pleasure, and sense of empowerment that the act of creation can give. They may execute a literal representation, or an abstract of pure color and form, but no matter what they put on their canvas I hope the experience gives these children the chance of seeing something familiar in a new way, or in a manner they haven't before."

The paintings created during their time with the artist will be shown and available by silent auction March 23rd at the Siddhia Hutchinson Fine Art Gallery, located in Isabell II between the ferry dock and the lighthouse.  All sales from the student show will benefit the Vieques Humane Society and Animal Rescue.  The opening reception of the student show Wednesday, March 23rd, 6-8:30pm, will also feature a live performance by "The Islanders," the local student steel drum ensemble mentored by Will Colon, Vieques' advocate and ambassador of the traditional Puerto Rican musical heritage.

Glen Wielgus

Monday is SABOR CRIOLLO at Coconuts

...every Monday is SABOR CRIOLLO at Coconuts restaurant! The menu is full of local flavors!
Pastelillos de Picadillo... Cuban-inspired Beef filled Turnovers... one of the many specialties on the menu!

Reservations suggested in Isabel Segunda

Whales

Last week a pod of humpback whales took a leisurely swim around the harbor in front of Al's Mar Azul. From the reports, there were approximately 8 cows and some babies. The females were rolling and blowing in the swells. They hung around for a bit and then disappeared into the sea. The humpbacks have come into Esperanza harbor on occasion, and sun bay is often a stopping spot for dolphins. You can see scads of starfish around Mosquito Pier and dozens upon dozens of sand dollars at Orchid Beach.

On Wednesday, the 23rd, Siddhia Hutchinson is holding a gallery opening featuring works by the children of Vieques. Fifty students have been working with Siddhia to create 12" x 12" paintings. These paintings will be sold, and the proceeds will go to the Vieques Humane Society and Animal Rescue. How cool. You can pre-bid on the paintings today, tomorrow and Wednesday between 10am and 4pm, by calling 787-741-1343. A minimum bid is $25, a bid of $400 wins you the painting. The silent auction will continue during the opening 6-8:30pm. The Islanders, a youth steel drum band mentored by Will Colon will be providing the evening's entertainment. 

The passenger ferry issues have been somewhat sorted out. The Cayo Blanco is now allowed to run at capacity. You will notice one big change, and that is a safety briefing at the start of the trip. This is exactly like the speech given by flight attendants. You may be tempted to ignore it, but when you think about, it is important to know where the life jackets are, and how to board the life rafts. We all think these crossings are a piece of cake. Remember, you are on the water and it is over your head.

Remember the discussion about the stop sign at the Green Store? Well, it is still there. This sign has outlasted it's previous two counterparts and has outlasted the dollar pool that was going around. We are getting some much needed paving done, however the Garcia road has not been done and the pothole repairs are starting to breakdown. Watch your speed as these babies can send you careening of the road.

There is some work starting to be done on the Malecon. My intel is that the scope of work is to replace the sidewalk and the underlying support structure. There has been no talk of turning it into a pedestrian only thoroughfare as shown on the master zoning plan. So far there has been some netting installed, which will probably become temporary walkways as work progresses. We will see.

April is beginning of turtle nesting season here on the island. It is always important to pick your trash on the beach (and anyone else's trash should they be inconsiderate), but it is especially important to do so when the turtles start to come ashore. A plastic bag looks like a jellyfish. It can kill a turtle with ease. The turtles have a hard enough reproducing, we don't need to make it more difficult. Enjoy the beach, and keep it clean.

JC

Vieques Artisans and Book Fair

Saturday, march 19 at 7pm
Fort Count Mirasol Museum, Vieques
Vieques Artisans and Book Fair Concert
with the Vieques Municipal Band under the direction of Maestro Rubén Bonano
Villarreal
Special show by HUELLAS, folkloric dance group
Book Presentation: BEBA AND THE BABY SISTER ISLAND
with the author and illustrator
jt

Report gives big space to little Vieques

Report gives big space to little Vieques
By : KEVIN MEAD
kevin@caribbeanbusinesspr.com
The White House report on Puerto Rico released Wednesday devotes one of its
four sections to Vieques, which the panel says is facing another decade of
cleanup after 60 years of Navy bombing exercises on the offshore island
town.
"There is much that the federal government can do...
http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=55300&ct_id=1&ct_name=1
~jt

From Coconuts to you...

For you and your guests...
Foie Gras, Bloody Mary Steaks, Chicken & Waffle, "Prime Rib" of Pork... and a whole lot more!
REMEMBER: Saturday is always Prime Rib night and Monday is Sabor Criollo!
See menu HERE for details and as always, we appreciate your continued support! We LOVE cooking for you and your guests!
-Chef Michael

Navy to do Emergency detonation at the Island off Blue Beach 3/17/11

VCHT Bird walk with Jim Hackett

7 am to10 am. Bird walk- meet at the VCHT. Car pool to the best bird sites in Vieques. Bring binoculars if you have them.  Donations to the Trust of $20 will be gratefully appreciated.

Greener Tourism

PR Tourism, the EPA, and the Solid Waste Authority are sponsoring training
which will highlight programs to better manage energy, water, solid waste
and recycling in hotel facilities. Presenters will also discuss the
availability of microloans for greening hospitality businesses and provide
an overview of the green hotel certification effort in Puerto Rico. The
dates and venues for the training are below.
Brochure here: www.enchanted-isle.com/vieques/pdf/bus-greener.pdf
For further questions, please contact Carolina Morales at the Puerto Rico
Tourism Company at 787-721-2400 x. 2229 or cmorales@prtourism.com.

St. Patty's Day- well sort of!

Tuesday, the 15th
   you can sit down to a
traditional
Corned Beef & Cabbage
dinner
at Coconuts!
COCONUTS  VIEQUES
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED

New Ferry Boarding Order Regulations

There is no reservation system for acquiring ferry tickets. This is the new
system put into service this week for boarding the ferry by PR ATM.
Order for Boarding Ferry:
1) disabled persons with one companion
2) Persons of 75+ yrs one companion
3) Persons of 60-74 yrs with one companion
4) Pregnant women with children under 2 yrs.
5) residents with identification
6) other passengers
~KG

Shopping Night

This coming Tuesday night, merchants in Isabel Segunda are holding a shopping night from 6-9pm.  Stores will be highlighting some of their most popular items and a few might even offer a small glass of something for your shopping pleasure.  It will be fun to see the shops lit up at night.  So put this on your list of things to do.  And be sure to hit every one of them.  They are:

Art Gallery DeDa             Black Beard Sports

Funky Beehive                 Sol Creations

La Casa del Alfarero        Lux

Caribbean Walk               Buen Provecho

Treasure Island                Pretty Woman

Yasiris Endless Fashion    Mama Playa Himalaya

Then, on Thursday Night, before taking in a wee draught you need to stop in at Beach Doggies.  John and Judy are hosting a fund raiser for COREFI, which stands for Concerned Residents for Improvement.  The COREFI group looks to assist residents of the island in need.  Most of these folks fall outside the system of care that the state and federal governments provide.  John and Judy have been donating bread to the cause and Sonia Ventura has been distributing it.  This a great grassroots cause and one that reaches a group of people that are most often forgotten.  Beach Doggies is located in Bravos de Boston.  Follow the signs.

More Later.

JC

The Study of Petroglyphs at VCHT

America

Earth Hour: It's Global!

The Vieques Municipal Recycling Program invites you to be a part of the event called "Earth Hour, " on Saturday March 26, 2011. They are asking that each resident and business turn off all non-essential lighting and appliances from 8:30 to 9:30PM to raise awareness for the need to take action on climate change issues and "to show the individual action on a mass scale can help change our planet for the better."

More information is available from the municipality in English and Spanish.

America the Movie

A few months back I mentioned a book by Esmeralda Santiago that was being made into a movie and some of the scenes were done here in Vieques.  That movie is being shown this Friday night at the Fort at 7pm.  The story is about a Vieques woman who leaves all she has ever known behind in the attempt to flee an abusive relationship.  Most of the story is set in the northeast, where she is a nanny.  The book is a great read, especially knowing about Vieques.  For more information on the movie go to www.americathemovie.net .

Also awhile ago, I talked about the things that we know about because we live here.  One of those things was the stop sign at the Green Store.  The stop has not existed for years, but we all know to stop.  If you have never been to the island before, it would never occur to you to stop at a non-existent stop sign.  Well, wonder of all wonders, the sign re-appeared just the other day.  Most of us are giving it about a week before someone hits it and we go another two years stopping at the sign that is not there.

Another one of these little tidbits of information, is that the street between Buen Provecho and La Reina Cantina is one way heading out.  In other words, do not come into town and try to take a left onto that street.  Despite the lack of signage, it is one way.  And, as a suggestion, if someone tells you that it is one way, stop and back up.  Do not say to that good Samaritan, "there isn't a sign" and continue on your way.  No kidding, that happened.

Also at the Fort this weekend, beginning Saturday the 12th at 7pm is an art exhibit by Ellie Harold, featuring landscapes of Vieques. 

We have been getting a little bit of rain, so the island looks a bit greener.  This has only happened because I sealed my roof and it only had a little time to set.  Still, like last week, be very careful with open flames, BBQs, and cigarettes.  It doesn't take much to start a blaze. 

Dan and Doc at the Mar Azul are hosting Taco Night with a DJ on Sundays.  Stop in for some fun. 

El Sombrero Viejo is closed at present.  They will be re-opening as soon as possible.  For some nice wine selections run out to the Cash and Carry just past the gas stations.  It is a big orange building.  They sell grocery items in the main building and the wine in La Cava section, which is through the door next to the cash register. 

There is a rumor afoot that the vegetable market is going to be expanding from Tuesdays and Wednesdays to Thursdays as well.  Will try to confirm that for next week. 

More Later

JC

Viequense Success Story: Samuel Caraballo

Samuel Caraballo is the author of several bilingual picture books for children, including "Estrellita Says Good-bye to Her Island" (Piñata Books, 2002). He was born in Vieques, a beautiful island located off the East Coast of Puerto Rico. He spent many of his childhood days playing in the countryside hills and picking mangos and guavas, his favorite tropical fruits. He has dedicated part of his years to teaching Spanish, his native language, in several public schools in the United States.

Learn more about this man and his success story at
http://www.samuelmcaraballo.com/

Salsa Aerobics' & Zumba Class

Dance &; Exercise Overlooking the Caribbean Sea

Instructor: Pacifica Garcia

Where: Inn on the Blue Horizon at L’Mirador

When: Thursdays 4 to 5pm

Cost: $7.00 a class

Base Clean-up News

Vieques Environmental Restoration & Munitions Response Program News

    The February 2011 Clean-up Newsletter

    Isla La Chiva off Blue Beach (Playa La Chiva) Be Aware and Beware

American Cancer Society - Relay for Life - April 30

2011 Relevo Por La Vida de Vieques, PR
April 30, 2011 en Balneario Sun Bay
56 días hasta el Relevo

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

Donate Here!

SOL CREATION!

LeAF Organic
Cotton~ Lucious Beautiful Conscious Creations:Now available at SOL CREATION!
Now offering $10 Coupon for Facial/Massage on purchases over $100.00 and $5 coupon $50.00!!
~See you Soon~Love SOL CREATION!

This weekend at Coconuts!

Chef Michael says...
Lots of deliciousness for you and your guests! Tell them: "Let me make your
reservations at Coconuts!"
Snapper Ceviche, Gazpacho Sorbet, Mahi Taco, Pernil, so much more - and of
course Saturday is Prime Rib!
COCONUTS 787.741.9325
OPEN for DINNER
Friday-Tuesday, 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays
RESERVATIONS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED
Think: Sushi Pizza!

Playa Grande Tour

Local Gallery gives back!

Gallery Galleon hosted Vieques students for a Plein air oil painting class taught and donated by the Gallery and Rob Brooks. Reach for Success runs many programs for kids on the island, and most importantly raises funds for college scholarships. 45 have graduated from college since 1998. 12 High school seniors are off to college this year!

VCHT House Tours March 12